OfferBackedBuyer Tools
Step 1 · Thinking about buying

Where are towns like the one I love?

Enter a town you like, or the one you’re leaving, and find the places most like it: similar incomes, home prices, commute, age of homes and more. Look nearby, in other states or only where homes cost less.

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Towns most like Raymond, NE 68428

Raymond: median income $115,000, home value $385,600, $198/sq ft, 37-minute commute.

TownSimilarMiles awayMedian incomeHome value$/sq ftWhat’s different
Lyndeborough, NH 03082 92%1,288$120,313$397,700$220 Very close on everything we compare
Carson, VA 23830 92%1,071$118,030$330,800$196 cheaper homes ($55K less) · newer homes
Brooks, GA 30205 92%858$105,700$491,800$209 pricier homes ($106K more) · larger
Croton, OH 43013 92%740$131,528$373,600$205 Very close on everything we compare
Duanesburg, NY 12056 91%1,172$132,150$374,500$193 Very close on everything we compare
Earleville, MD 21919 90%1,103$106,500$373,200$224 larger
Helenville, WI 53137 90%441$116,550$366,200$251 Very close on everything we compare
Center City, MN 55012 90%371$101,607$386,600$226 larger
Greenwood, CA 95635 90%1,281$101,250$485,200$250 pricier homes ($100K more)
Royalston, MA 01368 89%1,268$102,500$347,300$206 cheaper homes ($38K less) · more homeowners
Greenfield, NH 03047 89%1,283$103,603$350,300$298 cheaper homes ($35K less)
Tall Timbers, MD 20690 89%1,093$122,750$379,700$296 Very close on everything we compare
Temple, NH 03084 88%1,285$94,107$401,000$293 Very close on everything we compare
Oakham, MA 01068 87%1,276$102,000$420,100$265 pricier homes ($35K more)
Andover, NH 03216 87%1,287$88,311$358,800$194 lower income ($27K less) · cheaper homes ($27K less) · larger
Berne, NY 12023 87%1,169$112,885$302,300$210 cheaper homes ($83K less) · older homes
Saint Charles, IA 50240 87%156$107,563$305,800$288 cheaper homes ($80K less) · larger
Rock Tavern, NY 12575 86%1,173$142,530$446,200$268 higher income ($28K more) · pricier homes ($61K more)
Fawn Grove, PA 17321 86%1,072$114,205$291,200$230 cheaper homes ($94K less) · larger
Sharpsburg, MD 21782 86%1,008$94,130$311,600$207 cheaper homes ($74K less) · larger
Welch, MN 55089 86%327$108,750$384,800$238 8 min shorter commute
Maple Park, IL 60151 86%429$117,450$347,400$193 cheaper homes ($38K less) · larger
Columbia, NJ 07832 85%1,131$106,424$355,200$237 cheaper homes ($30K less) · larger · older homes
Amissville, VA 20106 85%1,006$108,469$521,900$281 pricier homes ($136K more) · larger
Lanexa, VA 23089 85%1,090$108,802$400,600$252 larger · older residents

Similarity compares income, home value, price per sq ft, population, age, commute, education, walkability, owner share, single-family share and age of homes. Click a town to see its housing market. Set your own criteria with the town finder.

Finding towns like the one you love

Maybe you grew up somewhere you loved and want something like it closer to a new job. Maybe the town you want is out of reach and you’re looking for a cheaper version of it. Or you’re moving across the country and want to know which places will feel familiar. This tool starts from a town you know and finds the places most like it.

How we measure similarity

We compare eleven things for every ZIP code: median household income, median home value, price per square foot from recent sales, population, median age, average commute, the share of adults with a bachelor’s degree, walkability, the share of homes that are owner-occupied, the share that are single-family homes, and the median year homes were built. Income and home values count most, because they shape what a place costs and feels like day to day.

Each trait is put on the same scale, so a $50,000 difference in home value and a five-minute difference in commute can be compared fairly. The result is a similarity score: towns in the 90s are close matches on nearly everything, and scores in the 70s are similar with a few clear differences. For each match we list the biggest differences, like cheaper homes, a longer commute or more single-family homes.

Where to look

  • Anywhere shows the closest matches nationwide.
  • Same state or other states keeps the search where you need it.
  • Within a distance finds alternatives near a town you’re priced out of.
  • At least a distance away finds the same kind of place somewhere new.

Tick “only towns where homes cost less” to find more affordable versions of the place you like.

What it can’t tell you

Numbers can’t capture everything that makes a place feel like home: a walkable downtown, the schools, the views or the people. Use the matches as a short list, then visit. Click any town to see its housing market, including how competitive it is and how fast homes are selling.